POMPANO BEACH, Florida — As the-five-year-old residential faux leather division of Valley Forge, Valtekz Composite Fabrics is reporting seven-figure sales and has grown exponentially in the last two years, according to Allison Weinbaum, manager at Valtekz.

Weinbaum, a transplanted New Yorker who prefers Florida, joined Valley Forge immediatley after graduating from the University of Miami 14 years ago. After taking over the helm of Valtekz in 2008, she  moved the company from Charlotte, NC  to the parent offices and warehouse here because of her strong belief that the company would benefit from the success and support of the parent.

“Valtekz is also benefiting from the fact that leather is pricing itself out of the market," Weinbaum said. "Also, Valtekz is not offering your grandmother’s vinyl. We’re strictly leading edge design."  According to Weinbaum, Valtekz is now experimenting with highly metallic products and has just launched a printed line for the first time.

The Valtekz line targets designers, furniture manufacturers, those in the marine industry, and in fashion. The product is a composite of polyurethane or pvc, nylon and recycled polyester and the finish is a polyurethane topcoat that can be shiny or dull.

The new ‘Titanium’ pleated ‘pleather’ collection is a proprietary product selling for $68 per yard, a more cost-effective option to previous entries from competitors on the market that sold for $300-$400 per yard.  

Tonga, another item used for wallcovering applications and upholstery, is offered at $66 per yard. Celerie VII, designed by Celerie Kemble, a designer who has been with Valtekz since 2005, offers polyurethane on a post consumer base with a pu face. This is a patent leather collection for wall and upholstery in the $58-$69 range.

The majority of the products offered feature 30 sku’s twice a year and come from Germany, Italy or Taiwan. Valtekz is shipping its products to furniture customers in Thailand, Philippines and China.

“We’re drop shipping our European lines to accounts in Asia," said Weinbaum.

To further the growth of composites, Weinbaum points to Stella McCartney’s new handbag line in vinyl.  

“Her handbags are not made of leather and you can’t tell the difference," Weinbaum said. "In this way, this perception of vinyl trickles down to the consumer of home furnishings. The younger generation in fact prefers pleather to leather. Now Valtekz is working on other performance characteristics to enhance our composite products that are good for the environment.”

According to Weinbaum, Valtekz is aiming to create a totally green line of vinyl that follows in the success of all the other products that are exclusive to Valtekz.